Newbies & A Dead Battery

[BamaBelle]

We have a new to us 2018 Kodiak Cub ultralite 176rd. Electric tongue was iffy while out & had to use manual jack. Then it worked again & we got home. Been dead ever since, won't charge, took it to auto parts for testing, it's dead. We must buy new deep cell battery. What steps do we need to follow to not kill the new battery?

 

[ewarnerusa]

Use/install a 12V disconnect whenever the camper is not in use. Physically disconnecting the battery at its pos/neg posts works, too. Or keep it plugged in.

There are small parasitic loads that are always drawing from the 12V system like propane detectors and electric components in a standby mode. So a disconnect will prevent any further draws on the battery. Always get the battery fully charged before disconnecting. Each deep discharge to a flooded lead acid battery does some damage, too deep and/or too often and the battery is damaged beyond repair.

Or you can leave it plugged in whenever at home. The onboard converter will keep the battery charged and supply 12V power to all those parasitic loads.

Or you can install a solar charging system that can vary in size from either a maintenance charger for when not in use to an off-grid power supply for regular use.

 

[persistent]

See this link for answer to same question.
https://www.dutchmenowners.org/forums/f17/dead-battery-10086.html#post83357

 

[Franktafl]

I installed n inexpensive 100 watt solar panel (portable) to keep the batteries charged when the rv is sitting. Worked great!